Elevator call button with tactile feedback

Abstract

An elevator call button assembly ( 20 ) includes at least one call button ( 50 ) having a surface ( 70 ) that is touchable by an individual to indicate a desired call in the elevator system. A responder ( 56 ) provides a tactile indication that the call has been successfully placed. In one example, the responder ( 56 ) comprises a vibrating motor that moves a moveable member ( 52 ) once the system controller ( 68 ) has successfully received a signal indicating the desired call.

1. A device for placing a call in an elevator system, comprising:
 a surface that is manually touchable to indicate a desired call; 
 a controller that determines whether the elevator system can respond to the desired call; and 
 a responder that automatically provides a tactile confirmation of the desired call responsive to a signal from the controller once the controller determines that the elevator system can respond to the desired call. 
 
   
   
     2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is supported on a moveable member that is manually moveable to indicate the desired call. 
   
   
     3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the responder comprises an automated mover that automatically moves the moveable member to provide the tactile confirmation. 
   
   
     4. The device of  claim 3 , comprising a housing that supports the moveable member such that the moveable member is manually moveable relative to the housing in at least one direction. 
   
   
     5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the automated mover moves the moveable member relative to the housing. 
   
   
     6. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the automated mover moves the moveable member in a second direction relative to the housing. 
   
   
     7. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the automated mover comprises a vibrating motor. 
   
   
     8. The device of  claim 3 , wherein the automated mover moves responsive to a manual manipulation of the moveable member. 
   
   
     9. The device of  claim 3 , including a controller that determines when the moveable member has been moved and the automated mover moves responsive to the controller. 
   
   
     10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is capacitive and the device provides a call signal responsive to human contact with the surface. 
   
   
     11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is supported on a hall call button that is adapted to be placed on a selected surface in a building. 
   
   
     12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the surface is supported on a moveable member that is manually moveable to indicate the desired call. 
   
   
     13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the responder comprises an automated mover that automatically moves the moveable member to provide the tactile confirmation. 
   
   
     14. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the automated mover comprises a vibrating motor. 
   
   
     15. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is supported on a car operating panel that is adapted to be placed in an elevator car. 
   
   
     16. The device of  claim 15 , wherein the surface is supported on a moveable member that is manually moveable to indicate the desired call. 
   
   
     17. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the responder comprises an automated mover that automatically moves the moveable member to provide the tactile confirmation. 
   
   
     18. The device of  claim 17 , wherein the automated mover comprises a vibrating motor. 
   
   
     19. A method of acknowledging that a call button signal has been received in an elevator system, comprising:
 determining a desired call responsive to a call button signal; 
 determining whether the elevator system can respond to the desired call; and 
 providing a tactile confirmation at the call button to indicate that the elevator system can respond to the desired call. 
 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 19 , including automatically moving a surface that is touched by an individual. 
   
   
     21. The method of  claim 19 , including vibrating at least a portion of the call button.